Method of making wafer structure for backside illuminated color image sensor

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit device is provided. The integrated circuit device can include a substrate; a first radiation-sensing element disposed over a first portion of the substrate; and a second radiation-sensing element disposed over a second portion of the substrate. The first portion comprises a first radiation absorption characteristic, and the second portion comprises a second radiation absorption characteristic different from the first radiation absorption characteristic.

PRIORITY DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/626,664, filed Jan. 24, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7, 638,852, issuedDec. 29, 2009, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/798,876, filed May 9, 2006, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

An image sensor provides a grid of pixels, such as photosensitive diodesor photodiodes, reset transistors, source follower transistors, pinnedlayer photodiodes, and/or transfer transistors for recording anintensity or brightness of light. The pixel responds to the light byaccumulating a charge—the more light, the higher the charge. The chargecan then be used by another circuit so that a color and brightness canbe used for a suitable application, such as a digital camera. Commontypes of pixel grids include a charge-coupled device (CCD) orcomplimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

Backside illuminated sensors are used for sensing a volume of exposedlight projected towards the backside surface of a substrate. The pixelsare located on a front side of the substrate, and the substrate is thinenough so that light projected towards the backside of the substrate canreach the pixels. Backside illuminated sensors provide a high fillfactor and reduced destructive interference, as compared to front-sideilluminated sensors.

A problem with backside illuminated sensors is that differentwavelengths of radiation to be sensed experience different effectiveabsorption depths in the substrate. For example, blue light experiencesa more shallow effective absorption depth, as compared to red light.Improvements in backside illuminated sensors and/or the correspondingsubstrate are desired to accommodate different wavelengths of light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isemphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in theindustry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, thedimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased orreduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a sensor including a plurality of pixels,according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2-5 are sectional views of a sensor having a plurality of backsideilluminated pixels, constructed according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a graph of light sensitivity vs. wavelength for a sensorhaving backside substrate thicknesses of uniform size.

FIG. 7 is a graph of light sensitivity vs. wavelength for a sensorhaving backside substrate thicknesses of varying size.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides manydifferent embodiments, or examples, for implementing different featuresof various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangementsare described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, ofcourse, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Inaddition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/orletters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose ofsimplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationshipbetween the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second featurein the description that follows may include embodiments in which thefirst and second features are formed in direct contact, and may alsoinclude embodiments in which additional features may be formedinterposing the first and second features, such that the first andsecond features may not be in direct contact.

Referring to FIG. 1, an image sensor 50 provides a grid of backsideilluminated (or back-illuminated) pixels 100. In the present embodiment,the pixels 100 are photosensitive diodes or photodiodes, for recordingan intensity or brightness of light on the diode. Alternatively, thepixels 100 may also include reset transistors, source followertransistors, pinned layer photodiodes, and transfer transistors. Theimage sensor 50 can be of various different types, including acharge-coupled device (CCD), a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS) image sensor (CIS), an active-pixel sensor (ACP), or apassive-pixel sensor. Additional circuitry and input/outputs aretypically provided adjacent to the grid of pixels 100 for providing anoperation environment for the pixels and for supporting externalcommunications with the pixels.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the sensor 50 includes a silicon-on-insulator(SOI) substrate 110 including silicon and carbon dioxide. Alternatively,the substrate 110 may comprise an epitaxial layer or other combinationof layers. In other embodiments, the substrate 110 may comprise anelementary semiconductor such as silicon, germanium, and diamond. Thesubstrate 110 may also comprise a compound semiconductor such as siliconcarbide, gallium arsenic, indium arsenide, and indium phosphide. Thesubstrate 110 may comprise an alloy semiconductor such as silicongermanium, silicon germanium carbide, gallium arsenic phosphide, andgallium indium phosphide.

In the present embodiment, the substrate 110 comprises P-type siliconformed over a silicon dioxide base. Silicon doping may be implementedusing a process such as ion implantation or diffusion in various steps.The substrate 110 may comprise lateral isolation features to separatedifferent devices formed on the substrate. The thickness of thesubstrate 110 has been thinned to allow for etching of the backside ofthe substrate. This reduction in thickness may be accomplished by backgrinding, diamond scrubbing, chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), orother similar techniques.

The sensor 50 includes a plurality of pixels 100 formed on the frontsurface of the semiconductor substrate 110. For the sake of example, thepixels are further labeled 100R, 100G, and 100B to correspond withexample light wavelengths of red, green, and blue, respectively. Asnoted above, the pixels 100 (also referred to as radiation-sensingelements) sense different wavelengths of radiation (light) and record anintensity or brightness of the radiation (light). The pixels 100 eachcomprise a light-sensing region (or photo-sensing region) which in thepresent embodiment is an N-type doped region having dopants formed inthe semiconductor substrate 110 by a method such as diffusion or ionimplantation. In continuance of the present example, the doped regionsare further labeled 112R, 112G, and 112B to correspond with the pixels100R, 100G, and 100B, respectively. In some embodiments, the dopedregions 112 can be varied one from another, such as by having differentmaterial types, thicknesses, and so forth.

The sensor 50 further includes additional layers, including first andsecond metal layers 120, 122 and inter-level dielectric 124. Thedielectric layer 124 comprises a low-k material, as compared to adielectric constant of silicon dioxide. Alternatively, the dielectriclayer 124 may comprise carbon-doped silicon oxide, fluorine-dopedsilicon oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and/or organic low-kmaterial. The metal layers 120, 122 may include aluminum, copper,tungsten, titanium, titanium nitride, tantalum, tantalum nitride, metalsilicide, or any combinations thereof.

Additional circuitry also exists to provide an appropriate functionalityto handle the type of pixels 100 being used and the type of light beingsensed. It is understood that the wavelengths red, green, and blue areprovided for the sake of example, and that the pixels 100 are generallyillustrated as being photodiodes for the sake of example.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the substrate 110 includes a plurality ofabsorption depths 114R, 114G, and 114B located beneath the correspondingpixels 100R, 100G, and 100B, respectively. Each wavelength (e.g., red,green, and blue light) has a different effective absorption depth whenit passes through the substrate 110. For example, blue light experiencesa more shallow effective absorption depth, as compared to red light.Thus, the absorption depth 114R, 114G, and 114B for each color pixel100R, 100G, and 100B varies accordingly. As an example, the absorptiondepth 114R beneath the pixel 100R for red light is between 0.35 μm to8.0 μm. The absorption depth 114G beneath the pixel 100G for green lightis between 0.15 μm to 3.5 μm. The absorption depth 114B beneath thepixel 100B for blue light is between 0.10 μm to 2.5 μm.

The absorption depths 114 may be formed by a variety of differenttechniques. One technique is to apply a photosensitive layer to thebackside of the substrate 110, pattern the photosensitive layer, andetch the substrate according to the pattern. For example, a wet etchprocess may be used to remove the unwanted silicon substrate. Thisprocess can be repeated to create different absorption depths.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the sensor 50 includes a planarization layer130 located between the pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B and the colorfilters 160R, 160G, and 160B (shown in FIG. 5). The planarization layer130 is made up of an organic or polymeric material that has a hightransmittance rate for visible light. This allows light to pass throughthe planarization layer 130 with very little distortion so that it canbe detected at the light-sensing regions in the substrate 110. Theplanarization layer 130 may be formed by a spin coating method whichprovides for a uniform and even layer.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the sensor 50 is designed to receive light 150directed towards the back surface of the semiconductor substrate 110during applications, eliminating any obstructions to the optical pathsby other objects such as gate features and metal lines, and maximizingthe exposure of the light-sensing region to the illuminated light. Theilluminated light 150 may not be limited to visual light beam, but canbe infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), and other radiation.

The sensor 50 further comprises a color filter layer 160. The colorfilter layer 160 can support several different color filters (e.g., red,green, and blue), and may be positioned such that the incident light isdirected thereon and there through. In one embodiment, suchcolor-transparent layers may comprise a polymeric material (e.g.,negative photoresist based on an acrylic polymer) or resin. The colorfilter layer 160 may comprise negative photoresist based on an acrylicpolymer including color pigments. In continuance of the present example,color filters 160R, 160G, and 160B correspond to pixels 100R, 100G, and100B, respectively.

The sensor 50 may comprise a plurality of lenses 170, such asmicrolenses, in various positional arrangements with the pixels 100 andthe color filters 160, such that the backside-illuminated light 150 canbe focused on the light-sensing regions.

Referring to FIG. 6, a graph 200 shows a comparison of the sensitivitiesfor the various pixels when responding to red, green, or blue light. Thevertical axis of the graph 200 shows light or radiation sensitivity, andthe horizontal axis shows light or radiation wavelength. As can be seenfrom the graph 200, if the absorption depths are uniform, the lightsensitivity 205 between the different pixels in response to red, green,and blue radiation wavelengths would be different. The blue light has ashorter wavelength than the green and red light and thus, the blue lighthas a shorter effective absorption depth in the substrate. In thepresent example, the pixel for receiving blue light would have a reducedlevel of light sensitivity, as compared to the pixels for receivinggreen and red light.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a graph 210 shows a comparison of thesensitivities for the pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B, when responding tored, green, or blue light, respectively. Since the sensor 50 hasabsorption depths 114R, 114G, and 114B with varying thicknesses, then amore even distribution of light sensitivity 215 can be obtained betweenthe different pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B in response to differentwavelengths of radiation. In the present example, the wavelengths arered, green, and blue, and the pixels 100R, 100G, and 100B havecorresponding color filters 160R, 160G, and 160B. It is understood thatvariations in junction depths and dopant concentrations may be combinedwith aspects of the present disclosure to achieve a more uniformspectral response and to improve performance of the sensor 50.

Thus, provided is an improved sensor device and method for manufacturingsame. In one embodiment, a backside illuminated sensor includes asemiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface and aplurality of pixels formed on the front surface of the semiconductorsubstrate. The sensor further includes a plurality of absorption depthsformed within the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. Each ofthe plurality of absorption depths is arranged according to each of theplurality of pixels.

In some embodiments, the plurality of pixels are of a type to form aCMOS image sensor. In other embodiments, the plurality of pixels are ofa type to form a charge-coupled device. In other embodiments, theplurality of pixels are of a type to form an active-pixel sensor. Instill other embodiments, the plurality of pixels are of a type to form apassive-pixel sensor.

In some other embodiments, the sensor includes red, green, and bluecolor filters aligned with corresponding red, green, and blue pixels anda planarization layer that lies between the color filters and thepixels. The sensor further includes microlenses over the color filters,a dielectric layer disposed above the front surface of the semiconductorsubstrate, and a plurality of metal layers over the semiconductorsubstrate.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for forming a backsideilluminated sensor. The method includes providing a semiconductorsubstrate having a front surface and a back surface and forming a first,second, and third pixel on the front surface of the semiconductorsubstrate. The method further includes forming a first, second, andthird thickness within the back surface of the semiconductor substrate,wherein the first, second, and third thickness lies beneath the first,second, and third pixel, respectively. In some embodiments, the methodincludes forming color filters aligned with the plurality of pixels andforming a planarization layer between the color filters and pixels. Themethod further includes providing a dielectric layer and a plurality ofmetal layers above the front surface of the semiconductor substrate.

The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that thoseskilled in the art may better understand the detailed description thatfollows. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A backside illuminated sensor, comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a substantially planar front surface and a back surface; a plurality of pixels formed on the substantially planar front surface of the semiconductor substrate; and wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a plurality of thicknesses between the substantially planar front surface and the back surface, wherein at least one pixel from the plurality of pixels is aligned with at least one thickness from the plurality of thicknesses, and wherein the plurality of pixels comprises a first pixel and a second pixel and the plurality of thicknesses comprises a first thickness aligned with the first pixel and a second thickness aligned with the second pixel.
 2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pixels is of a type selected from the group consisting of: a CMOS image sensor, a charge-coupled device, an active-pixel sensor, and a passive-pixel sensor.
 3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor substrate is a silicon-on-insulator substrate.
 4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of pixels further comprises a third pixel; and the plurality of thicknesses further comprises a third thickness, the third thickness being aligned with the third pixel.
 5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the first thickness is between 0.35 μm to 8.0 μm.
 6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the second thickness is between 0.15 μm to 3.5 μm.
 7. The sensor of claim 4, wherein the third thickness is between 0.10 μm to 2.5 μm.
 8. The sensor of claim 4, further comprising red, green, and blue color filters aligned with the first, second, and third pixels, respectively.
 9. The sensor of claim 8, further comprising a planarization layer located between the back surface of the semiconductor substrate and the red, green, and blue color filters.
 10. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the planarization layer is an organic or polymeric material.
 11. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of metal layers over the semiconductor substrate; and a dielectric layer disposed above the substantially planar front surface of the semiconductor substrate.
 12. An integrated circuit comprising: a substrate having a substantially planar front surface and a back surface; a first radiation-sensing element disposed on the substantially planar front surface of a first portion of the substrate, wherein the first radiation-sensing element includes a first doped region disposed in the substrate; a second radiation-sensing element disposed on the substantially planar front surface of a second portion of the substrate, wherein the second radiation-sensing element includes a second doped region disposed in the substrate; and wherein the first portion of the substrate has a first thickness associated with a first radiation absorption characteristic and the second portion of the substrate has a second thickness associated with a second radiation absorption characteristic different from the first radiation absorption characteristic.
 13. The integrated circuit of claim 12, further comprising a planarization layer and color filter disposed over the substrate.
 14. The integrated circuit of claim 12, wherein the first and second thicknesses are between the substantially planar front surface and the back surface of the substrate.
 15. The integrated circuit of claim 14, wherein the first thickness defines a first absorption depth for a first radiation directed towards the first radiation-sensing element from the back surface and the second thickness defines a second absorption depth for a second radiation directed towards the second radiation-sensing element from the back surface.
 16. An integrated circuit comprising: a substrate having a substantially planar first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first radiation-sensing element and a second radiation-sensing element disposed on the substantially planar first surface of the substrate; and wherein the substrate comprises a first thickness and a second thickness, wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are between the substantially planar first surface and the second surface, and further wherein the first thickness is aligned with the first radiation-sensing element and the second thickness is aligned with the second radiation-sensing element.
 17. The integrated circuit of claim 16, wherein the first thickness comprises a first absorption depth through a first portion of the substrate and the second thickness comprises a second absorption depth through a second portion of the substrate.
 18. The integrated circuit of claim 16, further comprising a color filter disposed over the second surface of the substrate.
 19. The integrated circuit of claim 18, further comprising a planarization layer located between the second surface of the substrate and the color filter.
 20. The integrated circuit of claim 19, further comprising a lens disposed over the color filter. 